Downer and University of Auckland partner for the future

07/06/2024

After a 20-year relationship built on collaboration, we’re excited to have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Waipapa Taumata Rau, the University of Auckland.

This agreement will further strengthen our relationship by enhancing the goal of uplifting the transport and infrastructure industry through innovation, research, and education, and developing our future leaders.

Each organisation offers unique and valuable opportunities for the other to leverage, from increasing pathways for students of all disciplines, further enabling each other’s access to facilities, specialist knowledge and equipment, or exploring opportunities to shape the future of transport and infrastructure. The future for transport and infrastructure is bright thanks to this partnership.

The MoU will also open broader discussions to explore future opportunities and projects together, similar to the ongoing Accelerated Pavement Test (APT) “rocker” largely funded from MBIE Endeavour funding specifically to test integrated wireless “in-pavement’ charging of EVs.  

Read about the APT here.

Dr Douglas Wilson, Associate Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Transportation Research Centre at the University, says the benefits to the University by establishing and investing in a partnership with Downer are extensive.

"This includes research focused on addressing real-world issues and developing new innovative approaches and technologies to deliver meaningful impact to our infrastructure and communities.”

"We will be pairing investment in research and capability development to deliver positive broader social outcomes."

We look forward to our continued partnership as we push engineering boundaries and nurture future leaders.